Gaston County man fights to clear his name, 25 years later

NEWTON, N.C. - A Gaston County man is fighting to clear his name after he served 25 years in prison for rape, a crime he said he did not commit.

The family of the victim said they are hearing facts about the case they never heard before. As many as eight people have come forward saying Willie Grimes was nowhere near the crime scene when the woman was raped.

Grimes has maintained his innocence since his 1987 arrest. After three days of testimony, family members of the victim said they aren't sure either and are questioning whether Grimes is really guilty.

"We found out a lot of things we didn't know about the evidence and stuff that was brought out," said Tamra Elliot, the victim's granddaughter.

Elliott listened to hours of testimony and admits she heard enough that she questions what happened the night her grandmother was raped.

Her grandmother passed away years ago, but after the rape, she identified Grimes as her attacker.

Her description changed several times and her inability to pick him from a photo lineup at the time of the trial had one expert question its accuracy.